Black tank dump - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Mayor · RV-Dreams Community Member

Black tank dump

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Mayor, Fred answered on the other thread you started.No good reason to dump when it is not very full.You are not really getting your tank drained properly by draining to soon.

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you have a built-in sprayer I would recommend using it, especially since you are probably creating what is called the "pyramid of death" in your tank where the solids build up since you don't get a good flush. Add one if you don't, it will let you dump when the black tank is not at least half full, like at the end of a weekend outing. My technique is to run the sprayer a bit, then close the valve, then run it for 5 to 10 minutes and then open the valve, repeat if you have time until the what comes out is fairly clear. Don't be distracted, if something comes up, quit or you could flood your RV.

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

bjoyce wrote:
If you have a built-in sprayer I would recommend using it, especially since you are probably creating what is called the "pyramid of death" in your tank where the solids build up since you don't get a good flush. Add one if you don't, it will let you dump when the black tank is not at least half full, like at the end of a weekend outing. My technique is to run the sprayer a bit, then close the valve, then run it for 5 to 10 minutes and then open the valve, repeat if you have time until the what comes out is fairly clear. Don't be distracted, if something comes up, quit or you could flood your RV.

Bill J. is so right on all points. This is a big deal as pertains to dumping when little is in the tank. Always try to dump it with 3/4 or so full of water. There is no known fix once the "pyramid of death" is created. At least not one I want to even think about.

Bill

RVRon · RV-Dreams Family Member

Mayor wrote:
We have had much success for the past three years by dumping our black tank, even when thier is very little in it. I know most say fll it up - dump -rinse - and be happy.

Mayor, you don't say whether you're fulltiming yet or not. If not, like us, it's hard to build up enough volume in the black tank over a weekend camping trip in order to clear out the black tank totally. We try to increase the volume in the black tank by dumping our dishwater down the toilet rather than dumping it down the drain into the gray tank. We also figure the soapy water should help loosen anything that might cling to the sides of the tank. In any event, we try to get the black tank up to at least 1/3 full before we dump it even if we have to stand there and run water in the toilet to do it.

-- Edited by RVRon on Sunday 29th of May 2011 06:44:52 PM

Mayor · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thanks to all..great ideas.